Greatest Performance in a Us Open Final?

[JoelSandwich]

I thought this would be a good idea to make this thread, in preparation of this years final.
I've listed the winners names of the respective matches first, then the losers.

I was going to make a poll but their was simply too many options to make one. I've definitely left out some other great ones so feel free to add to the ones that I put down below.

Which is the greatest performance in a Us Open Final?
1974: Connors-Rosewall
1978: Connors-Borg
1984: McEnroe-Lendl
1990: Sampras-Agassi
1991: Edberg-Courier
1996: Sampras-Chang
2000: Safin-Sampras
2001: Hewitt-Sampras
2004: Federer-Hewitt
2010: Nadal-Djokovic
2011: Djokovic-Nadal
2013: Nadal-Djokovic
2014: Cilic-Nishikori

 

[CYGS]

2011: Peak Djokovic vs. Peak Nadal.

 

[tennisaddict]

2004 Federer for the whole match

2011 Rafa 3rd set for the best set

 

[Deleted member 716271]

2004 Federer for the whole match

2011 Rafa 3rd set for the best set

Yeah the best set ever was a guy who lost the match in 4, and won the set you're talking about, 7-6, not the 2,2, and 1 losses in other sets in that match or numerous other great sets played thruout US OPEN history. Hilarious.

 

[metsman]

How in the world is Fed's performance in the 06 final not up there?

The rest are good choices. I would add the 85, 02, and 03 finals

 

[NoleFam]

2011: Peak Djokovic vs. Peak Nadal.

One of my top 5 favorite US Open matches of all time but it helps when your favorite wins. That was an amazing display of athleticism from both players though.

 

[tennisaddict]

Yeah the best set ever was a guy who lost the match in 4, and won the set you're talking about, 7-6, not the 2,2, and 1 losses in other sets in that match or numerous other great sets played thruout US OPEN history. Hilarious.

I suggest you re-watch . That set is the ultimate definition of physicality put to test and Nadal came out on the winning side like only he can.

 

[JoelSandwich]

How in the world is Fed's performance in the 06 final not up there?

The rest are good choices. I would add the 85, 02, and 03 finals

I thought his 2004 performance was better, but like I said feel free to add.

 

[TupeloDanger]

Taking into account the quality of the opponent, combined with the dominance asserted over him, Safin's 2000 run where he relegated Sampras to complete and utter hopelessness is maybe the most impressive on-court demonstration I've ever seen.

It's still a little hard to believe.

 

[Djokovic2011]

2011: Peak Djokovic vs. Peak Nadal.

Extremely high level indeed and a match I'll never forget. Safin's performance against Sampras in the 2000 final should also get a mention. Pete wasn't exactly at his peak at the time but even a stronger version of him would've had trouble that day. MS just completely took the racquet out of his hand, the like of which I'd never seen before.

 

[JoelSandwich]

2011: Peak Djokovic vs. Peak Nadal.

The third set of that match was absolutely insane.

 

[ABCD]

2015: Djokovic-Federer

 

[NoleFam]

Extremely high level indeed and a match I'll never forget. Safin's performance against Sampras in the 2000 final should also get a mention. Pete wasn't exactly at his peak at the time but even a stronger version of him would've had trouble that day. MS just completely took the racquet out of his hand, the like of which I'd never seen before.

Safin manhandled Pete that day. It was a sight to behold. Out of all the of US Open men's finals performances I've seen, 2000 is definitely at the top echelons of the list.

 

[tennisaddict]

For a non final between 2 good players, I nominate 2009 USO Delpo vs Rafa - 2,2 and 2.

Rafa fans say he was injured but i don't think it mattered that day.

 

[JoelSandwich]

2015: Djokovic-Federer

That match was pretty average in my opinion.

 

[tennisaddict]

2015: Djokovic-Federer

Are we including senior tour matches ?

 

[Livedeath]

1991 US Open was Edbergs best GS final ever, it was an exhibition of serve and volley, even Jim acknowledged that Stefan made him powerless that day.

2000 US Open final Safin simply was playing his level best, Pete could not find any answer for his game that day. Breathtaking stuff from Safin.

2011 US Open final was simply epic and my personal best. The scoreline of 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, and 6-1 suggests that 1st and 2nd sets were somewhat easy for the winner, but that was not the case, both players traded heavy artillery for most points. In 3rd set both traded breaks back and forth and it was one of the best sets in the whole competition. I still remember Nole was serving at 3-4 break point down and he hit some 6-7 full blooded winners, and Rafa got all of them back except the last one. After the point even Rafa's dad had to even acknowledge the effort both these put in for that point.

 

[ABCD]

That match was pretty average in my opinion.

That was the most impressive display of resilience and mental toughness.

 

[tennis_pro]

It's always relative to your opponent.

1974: Connors-Rosewall - no, Rosewall was like 500 years old
1978: Connors-Borg - a great win for Jimbo against peak Borg
1984: McEnroe-Lendl - Lendl was tired after a way tougher SF the day before (1985 was the other way round)
1990: Sampras-Agassi - both were newbies but Sampras just handled his nerves better
1991: Edberg-Courier - considering Courier beat Sampras in straight sets in the QF that was a fantastic display from Edberg
1996: Sampras-Chang - a predictable final, Sampras played well but nothing outstanding
2000: Safin-Sampras - Sampras was past his prime but still a huge shocker
2001: Hewitt-Sampras - Sampras was past his prime and Hewitt was his biggest nightmare
2004: Federer-Hewitt - a double bagel against someone who won like 25 matches in a row, reached the final without losing as et and was at his peak? Insane
2010: Nadal-Djokovic - Djokovic was tired. I actually think Nadal played a lot better in the previous rounds
2011: Djokovic-Nadal - Djokovic played outstanding, Nadal had to play 200% to even win a set
2013: Nadal-Djokovic - Djokovic wasn't there mentally in big chunks
2014: Cilic-Nishikori - Nishikori sucked

All were good performances but these 4 stand out IMO.

 

[JoelSandwich]

That was the most impressive display of resilience and mental toughness.

I'll agree that Djokovic was very impressive mentally, but the match itself wasn't anything to write home about.

 

[metsman]

pretty sure Borg was hurt in 78, some hand problem? Add on his USO demons to that and you have another overrated Connors performance

 

[NoleFam]

It's always relative to your opponent.

1974: Connors-Rosewall - no, Rosewall was like 500 years old
1978: Connors-Borg - a great win for Jimbo against peak Borg
1984: McEnroe-Lendl - Lendl was tired after a way tougher SF the day before (1985 was the other way round)
1990: Sampras-Agassi - both were newbies but Sampras just handled his nerves better
1991: Edberg-Courier - considering Courier beat Sampras in straight sets in the QF that was a fantastic display from Edberg
1996: Sampras-Chang - a predictable final, Sampras played well but nothing outstanding
2000: Safin-Sampras - Sampras was past his prime but still a huge shocker
2001: Hewitt-Sampras - Sampras was past his prime and Hewitt was his biggest nightmare
2004: Federer-Hewitt - a double bagel against someone who won like 25 matches in a row, reached the final without losing as et and was at his peak? Insane
2010: Nadal-Djokovic - Djokovic was tired. I actually think Nadal played a lot better in the previous rounds
2011: Djokovic-Nadal - Djokovic played outstanding, Nadal had to play 200% to even win a set
2013: Nadal-Djokovic - Djokovic wasn't there mentally in big chunks
2014: Cilic-Nishikori - Nishikori sucked

All were good performances but these 4 stand out IMO.

A Djokovic compliment? What are my eyes seeing? This needs to printed out and framed.

 

[tennis_pro]

A Djokovic compliment? What are my eyes seeing? This needs to printed out and framed.

Yes Djokovic actually had to play well in the first 9 months of 2011 to overcome strong competition in peak Nadal and still prime-ish Federer who played spoiler for the duet. Unlike now with 3 of his 5 matches until the SF of a Slam being retirements or WO's.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Federer toying with Hewitt in 2004 was gorgeous.

Nadal saying "F*ck it" after losing one spectacularly played point by Novak summed up the 2011 final. Still one of Djokovic's finest Slam performances despite an average serving day.

 

[Steve0904]

This one's easy, but maybe I'm biased.

 

[NoleFam]

Yes Djokovic actually had to play well in the first 9 months of 2011 to overcome strong competition in peak Nadal and still prime-ish Federer who played spoiler for the duet. Unlike now with 3 of his 5 matches until the SF of a Slam being retirements or WO's.

This is a rare occurrence that has happened this tournament. Let's not act like he has had walkovers and retirements in most of the Slams he's played.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Yes Djokovic actually had to play well in the first 9 months of 2011 to overcome strong competition in peak Nadal and still prime-ish Federer who played spoiler for the duet. Unlike now with 3 of his 5 matches until the SF of a Slam being retirements or WO's.

In fairness t_p, it was never written in stone that you always have to play your very best tennis to win big tournaments. That's the abmk way of thinking.

 

[JoelSandwich]

This one's easy, but maybe I'm biased.

I don't blame you Federer's forehand was touched by the Gods on that day.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Federer toying with Hewitt in 2004 was gorgeous.

Nadal saying "F*ck it" after losing one spectacularly played point by Novak summed up the 2011 final. Still one of Djokovic's finest Slam performances despite an average serving day.

Did Nadal actually say that?

 

[DreddyTennis45]

2011: Peak Djokovic vs. Peak Nadal.

Lol no way was that peak Nadal. Peak Djokovic certainly.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Did Nadal actually say that?

It sure looked like it. ****, **** it, ****ing hell, you choose.

 

[Emperor of Belgrade]

Safin, Federer and Djokovic.

 

[tennis_pro]

In fairness t_p, it was never written in stone that you always have to play your very best tennis to win big tournaments. That's the abmk way of thinking.

This is true but we can still point it out.

 

[Djokovic2011]

It sure looked like it. ****, **** it, ****ing hell, you choose.

I know it sounds sadistic but I really did enjoy seeing Nadal so frustrated in his matches against Djokovic that year.

 

[metsman]

It sure looked like it. ****, **** it, ****ing hell, you choose.

I doubt Nadal would curse in english. Maybe in spanish

 

[RF-18]

Lol no way was that peak Nadal. Peak Djokovic certainly.

Nadal 10-11 was peak/prime Nadal.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

I loved the final in 2011. Never seen such pshysical tennis. But tennis wise, I rank Federer's 2004 and Safin's 2000 very high.

 

[metsman]

I know it sounds sadistic but I really did enjoy seeing Nadal so frustrated in his matches against Djokovic that year.

good...let the hate flow through you instead of keeping up your fake nice guy persona facade

 

[metsman]

I loved the final in 2011. Never seen such pshysical tennis. But tennis wise, I rank Federer's 2004 and Safin's 2000 very high.

tennis wise the 2011 final was terrible for 2 sets, epic for 1, and one sided for another(Nadal gave up in the 4th, Djokovic said f it and started nailing lines). So quality wise it is very overrated. But entertaining stuff for sure.

 

[DreddyTennis45]

Nadal 10-11 was peak/prime Nadal.

Overall yes, but Nadal was pretty average throughout the tournament imo.

 

[GabeT]

Lol no way was that peak Nadal. Peak Djokovic certainly.

in 2011 Nadal reached more tier 1 finals than ever in his life and without Nole 2011 would have been his best season ever. Absent Nole Nadal likely wins 5 Slams in a row from FO 2011 to FO 2012

 

[tennisaddict]

I doubt Nadal would curse in english. Maybe in spanish

I remember the point @Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil is talking about. Rafa just made hand gestures to the effect 'I can't give no more effort' kind of sign.

 

[DreddyTennis45]

in 2011 Nadal reached more tier 1 finals than ever in his life and without Nole 2011 would have been his best season ever. Absent Nole Nadal likely wins 5 Slams in a row from FO 2011 to FO 2012

I'm saying his level of play at USO 2011 was not his peak. Overall it was a prime/peak year

 

[BGod]

In terms of one player's performance or the match quality?

2009 USO with Potro coming back to knock Federer is one of the best matches I've seen at USO.

2004 USO with Federer destroying the #4 seed and recent Champion 6-0, 7-6, 6-0 is probably the greatest individual performance that I've seen.

However I'm someone who only started watching USO in the late 90s.

If you look back historically, the USO final has rarely seen tight 5th sets, when matches have gone that lone, take a look from 80 onwards:

1980: McEnroe wins 6-4
1988: Wilander wins 6-4
1999: Agassi wins 6-2
2009: Del Potro wins 6-2
2012: Murray wins 6-2


So in 35 years of play, we've only had five, 5 set matches and only two were decided by 2 games or less. No 7-5 or 7-6 finales.

By this measure you could argue Boris Becker's 1989 as one of the best with the scoreline 7-6, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6. But Potro tying the match with 2 tiebreak wins will always stand out to me.

 

[mike danny]

2004 USO: best ever performance against a top 5 player and former USO champion.

2011 USO would have been even better had Djokovic not lost the 3rd set.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Federer USO 2004-05.
Djokovic USO 2011

 

[swordtennis]

Lol no way was that peak Nadal. Peak Djokovic certainly.

Agreed.
"Peak" Nadal would have lost in the 4th round or QF of US Open 2011.
This is so old it is priceless.

 

[mike danny]

@JoelSandwich, the 2009 USO final should be included. Fantastic display by Delpo. A match Fed should have won, true, which made that match even a bigger shock IMO than Pete-Safin in 2000.

 

[CYGS]

in 2011 Nadal reached more tier 1 finals than ever in his life and without Nole 2011 would have been his best season ever. Absent Nole Nadal likely wins 5 Slams in a row from FO 2011 to FO 2012

Anything that does not fit their agenda is not true. Have you not heard?

 

[mike danny]

Lol no way was that peak Nadal. Peak Djokovic certainly.

It was peak Nadal. 3 slam finals reached and 6 consecutive finals from IW until RG. It was the first and only time he reached tons of finals on HC, clay and grass.